Avocado, Black Bean, and Charred Tomato Bowl

www.cookinglight.com

 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Savory Stewed Black Beans, warmed
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grape tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup fresh corn kernels (from 1 ear)
  • 1/2 medium-sized ripe avocado, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium radish, very thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

How to Make It

Step 1

Place the black beans in a pile in the corner of a shallow bowl. Heat a small skillet over medium-high. Add the oil to the pan; swirl to coat. Add the tomatoes; cook until charred but not collapsing, about 3 minutes, shaking the pan once to turn the tomatoes. Place the tomatoes next to the beans in the bowl.

Step 2

Add the corn to the pan; cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Place the corn next to the tomatoes. Add the avocado slices, radish slices, and cilantro to the bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.

 

Nutritional Information

  • Calories 428
  • Fat 19g
  • Satfat 3g
  • Unsatfat 15g
  • Protein 17g
  • Carbohydrate 53g
  • Fiber 17g
  • Sugars 14g
  • Added sugars 0g
  • Sodium 709mg
  • Calcium 10% DV
  • Potassium 38% DV

Manage Your Cholesterol

Many Americans struggle with poor cholesterol readings. This may entail elevated LDL or “bad” cholesterol or low HDL or “good” cholesterol. If your cholesterol numbers are less than perfect, consider some of these tips to improve your heart health:
  • Do more cardiovascular exercise. This can increase HDL levels.
  • Eat a Mediterranean diet, focusing on lots of plant foods like beans, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Increase your intake of healthy fats, mainly from plant foods and fish. Fish contains omega 3 fatty acids. Some great choices are salmon, herring, trout, and tuna. These contain high levels of omega 3’s.
  • Add walnuts and chia seeds to your diet for plant based omega 3’s.
  • Manage your daily stress with activities like meditation and yoga.
  • Increase your soluble fiber intake to decrease LDL cholesterol. Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol, helping to sweep it away. Oatmeal and beans are two foods high in soluble fiber.
  • Don’t forget to see your doctor for yearly preventative blood work. Work with your doctor regarding supplement choices and medication.

Raspberry- Lime Infused Water

Raspberry-Lime Infused Water

Ingredients:1/3 cup raspberries4 lime slices

Directions:1. Place the raspberries and lime slices in a 32-ounce Mason jar, and fill with 22 oz. filtered water.

2. Stir, cover, and let it sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or overnight for more flavor.

3. Add ice, stick a straw in, and enjoy!

 

Credit: http://www.cookinglight.comalexander-mils-instagram-com-alexandermils-321812

Colorful Eating

 

As children, we have all been lectured about eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Perhaps your parents would not let you leave the dinner table until you finished all of your vegetables or your teacher taught you to “eat the rainbow”. However, why is consuming various colors of fruits and vegetables so beneficial? On top of the many vitamins and minerals fruits and vegetables contain, they also are rich in phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are not essential nutrients; however, they have been show to ward off diseases such as cancer. Different colors of fruits and vegetables can be indicative of the types of phytochemicals they contain. Therefore, eating an array of fruits and vegetables will ensure consumption of different types of phytochemicals with diverse benefits. Here is a list of different phytochemicals and the fruits and vegetables they are in:

 

 

Red: Lycopene

Lycopene is part of the carotenoid family and is found in red-colored fruits and vegetables. Evidence from scientific studies suggests that lycopene helps prevent lung, prostate, and stomach cancers. Like other carotenoids, lycopene is an antioxidant, meaning it can remove harmful free radicals from the body.

Here are some foods containing lycopene:

  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon
  • Pink Grapefruit

 

Orange, Yellow, and Deep Green: Carotenoids

Carotenoids are a type of phytochemical most commonly found in orange and yellow fruits and dark green vegetables. They have antioxidant properties, and the body can convert carotenoids into vitamin A, which aids in immune function and eye health. Here are some foods containing carotenoids:

  • Carrots
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Pumpkins
  • Apricots
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Collard Greens

 

Diverse Colors: Flavonoids

Like carotenoids, flavonoids are also antioxidants, and have been associated with lowered risk of breast and lung cancer. They are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which benefits cardiovascular health.

Here are some foods containing flavonoids:

  • Onions
  • Apples
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Quinoa
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Strawberries
  • Celery
  • Oranges
  • Lemons
  • Cherries
  • Cabbage
  • Raspberries
  • Garbanzo beans

 

Sources:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=119

 

http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/phytonutrients-faq#1

 

http://www.pcrm.org/health/cancer-resources/diet-cancer/nutrition/how-lycopene-helps-protect-against-cancer

 

 

Written by Amanda Venuto

Increase Your Fruits and Vegetables

It is recommended to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Here are some ways to sneak in extra servings!

  • Snack on raw vege sticks in between meals. Try dipping them in hummus or guacamole to make them more interesting and filling.
  • Throw together an easy breakfast smoothie with fresh fruit and baby spinach. Add some chia or flax seeds to get some omega 3’s.
  • Add more cooked vegetables to dinner. A serving of vegetables is 1/2 cup when cooked.
  • Mix vegetables into pasta or rice to add volume and texture.
  • Try eating fruit for dessert instead of candy or sweets.
  • Add fruit to your morning cereal or oatmeal. Add some almonds or walnuts to make it more balanced and filling.
  • Choose plain Greek yogurt to reduce sugar but add your own fruit for flavor.
  • Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables over juice when possible. You get more fiber and less sugar.
  • Never give up! It takes time to create new, healthy habits. Try to gradually make changes and it will feel much easier and less overwhelming!

 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Eating with Exercise

 

Choosing foods wisely is essential for getting the most efficient workout. Consuming improper foods prior to exercising could prevent you from maximizing your workout, while failure to select appropriate foods after a workout could impair your recovery.

 

Before a workout, it is important to avoid eating too much and to choose carbohydrate-rich foods. The human body converts carbohydrates into energy most readily, which will be beneficial in energy-expending exercise. Here are some suggestions from the American Heart Association of foods to fuel your body for a successful workout:

 

  • Whole grain toast
  • Whole grain pasta
  • Whole grain cereals
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables

 

Contrary to popular belief, proteins are not recommended for consumption before a workout because they take longer to digest; consuming saturated fats prior to exercise is not advised for the same reason. It is also important to keep your body well hydrated by drinking water.

 

Once a workout is completed, it is vital to replenish your body through hydration and nutrient intake. Because the body uses carbohydrates as its main energy source, it is important to consume carbohydrates after your workout—they are necessary in the metabolic processes of your body. In addition, protein should be consumed. Protein helps to repair and grow muscles. Here are some suggestions of snacks and meals to eat after a workout:

 

  • Greek Yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit
  • Apples with peanut butter
  • Whole wheat tortilla with nut butter and banana
  • Hard-boiled egg
  • Grilled chicken breast with vegetables
  • Broiled fish with vegetables
  • Quinoa

 

Written by Intern Amanda Venuto

 

 

 

Cutting Calories for Weight Loss

In order to lose weight, we must consume less calories, burn more calories with exercise or do a little of both. Many people believe they need to go on a strict diet in order to lose weight but that is not the case. Small, consistent changes can make a huge difference on the scale. Try cutting back on some of these high calorie foods if you’d like to lose weight:

 

Soda

Mayonnaise

Peanut Butter (not more than 2 tablespoons)

Oil

Candy

Juice

Pancake Syrup

Butter

Cheese (not more than 1 oz.)

Coffee Creamer

Dried fruit (not more than ¼ cup)

Fried foods

Donuts

 

Simply cutting out 1 tablespoon of fat can cut 100 calories daily, leading to weight loss overtime. Focus on a sustainable healthy lifestyle rather than a diet. It will pay off in the long run!

 

Grocery Shopping Tips

 

Grocery shopping can be a little confusing these days with so many options to choose from. Here are some guidelines to help you make healthier choices.

Try choosing less processed foods as often as possible. Examples include fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and simple dairy products. Label reading should include looking at the ingredients, sugar, sodium, fiber and fat. Here are some guidelines to aim for when shopping for starches and grains:

 

Less than or equal to 10 grams of sugar

Greater than or equal to 3 grams of fiber

Less than or equal to 250mg of sodium

No trans fats and minimal saturated fats

 

Choose foods with fewer ingredients in them to avoid processed foods. Check the ingredients for words like “hydrogenated oil” and “partially hydrogenated oil”. These are terms to describe trans fats, which are particularly unhealthy for the heart. Load up on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. These foods are very nutrient dense while still being low in calories.

Certain grocery stores provide lists of all foods sold that are kosher. Product lists are often accessible online:

http://www.traderjoes.com/dietary-lists/kosher

Another option for label reading includes looking for reliable kosher certifications (such as “Seal-K”) to make kosher selections. Another option is to choose grocery stores that exclusively sell kosher products.

Nicole Bergoine, RD, LDN, CPT

1150 First Ave Suite 501
King of Prussia, PA 19406
 

 

Add Some Excitement to Your Water!

 

Are you getting sick of drinking nothing but water all the time? Unfortunately, many bottled drinks are either packed with sugar or artificial sweeteners. It makes it challenging drinking anything but water these days. Here are some other ideas:

  • Unsweetened seltzer water
  • Fruit infused water (oranges, strawberries, etc)
  • Unsweetened black or green iced tea
  • Unsweetened herbal teas
  • Mint infused water

I love simply throwing some herbal tea bags into my cold water bottle. Allow to sit at least 5 minutes. Shake it up and you’ve got a tasty drink and you have tons of flavors to choose from! Its also a lot less expensive then constantly buying pre-made tea!